The Doha Film Institute (DLF) made history at Cannes 2023 with two co-financed films in Official Selection, In Competition.
In a notable achievement, Doha Film Institute (DFI) had its first grantee project, Banel E Adama, selected for In Competition at Cannes. With this nomination, DFI became the sole MENA organisation with eight supported projects, including previous acclaimed titles like The Salesman, Caphernaum, and Memoria.
DFI-supported projects were showcased in various sections at Cannes, including Official Selection, Un Certain Regard, Midnight Screening, Critics’ Week, Director’s Fortnight, and ACID. CEO Fatma Hassan Alremaihi praised the diversity and quality of the films, emphasising DFI’s role in supporting both established and emerging filmmakers. The selection reflected DFI’s commitment to fostering compelling stories and shaping world cinema.
DFI co-financed films About Dry Grasses by Nuri Bilge Ceylan and Club Zero by Jessica Hausner premiered in competition at Cannes. DFI grantee Banel E Adama by Ramata-Toulaye SY also competed. Nuri Bilge Ceylan previously won the Palme d’Or, while Jessica Hausner returned to Cannes with her fourth film.
In competition, Official Selection:
- About Dry Grasses (Turkey, France, Qatar/2023)
- Club Zero (Austria, UK, Germany, France, Denmark, Qatar/2023)
- Banel E Adama (Senegal, France, Mali, Qatar/2023)
Official Selection, Un Certain Regard:
- The Mother of All Lies (Morocco, France, Qatar/2023)
- If Only I Could Hibernate (Mongolia, France, Switzerland, Qatar/2023)
- Hounds (Morocco, France, Belgium, Qatar/2023)
Official selection, Midnight Screenings:
- Omar La Fraise (Algeria, France, Qatar/2023)
Critics’ Week:
- InshAllah Wallad (Jordan, Saudi Arabia, France, Qatar/2023)
- Tiger Stripes (Malaysia, Taiwan, Singapore, France, Germany, The Netherlands, Indonesia, Qatar/2023)
- I Promise You Paradise (Egypt, France, Qatar/2023)
- Lost Country (Serbia, France, Croatia, Luxembourg, Qatar/2023)
Director’s fortnight (Quinzaine des cinéastes):
- Deserts (Morocco, France, Germany, Belgium, Qatar/2023)
ACID:
- Machtat (Tunisia, Lebanon, France, Qatar/2023)
